New €150,000 e-commerce fund for SMEs

The IE Domain Registry (IEDR)’s 2014 OPTIMISE Fund is open for entries from small business owners looking to improve their e-commerce capabilities. Fifteen successful applicants will receive €10,000.

The group responsible for managing the registry for Ireland’s official internet address .ie launched the OPTIMISE fund, which also provides professional consultation, training and e-commerce development support to give small business owners the e-tools and know-how to ‘optimise’ their existing website and grow their business via the internet.

“Online sales and bookings will be a priority for some (small business owners), while greater customer engagement using social media will be a focus for others," said the IEDR’s chief executive David Curtin.

"Either way, the move to e-commerce needn’t be daunting. It’s something that small Irish companies have been reluctant to embrace for too long, and too many companies continue to miss out on new markets, new customers and new growth opportunities as a result.”

Applications are open to all Irish organisations classified as an SME or micro-enterprise with a .ie website that is hosted online and accessible to the public. The deadline to apply is 20 June.

Since establishing itself in 2011, the IEDR has worked with 45 small businesses across a range of industries, including tourism and culture, food and retail, technology and business services, as well as media and education.